Few years back, my son, then eight, asked for my deserted dead cellphone. Assuming it might be a new toy for him, I handed it over. His happiness was plain to see that Saturday morning as I departed for work, gifting him the dead device.
When I got home that evening the little boy was the first person to welcome me back home with excitement all over him. He didn't wait for me to get my breath of air before thrusting the old Nokia phone to me. "Dad," he was almost crying. "This is how the phone worked." He showed me he had brought the dead phone back to life.
I immediately thanked the child for a job well done. I explained to him that this will be a sure-fire way to get me to buy the boy his own cell phone. He said he was content with the old Nokia phone. From that day onward he started exploring other dead electronic gadgets around the house if he could fix them. He succeeded in fixing the old radio set, my old VCD player, and a headphone, just to mention a few. It was evident the little boy had a knack for broken gadgets. I could do nothing but watch in awe.
Being a little boy at that age, I knew the kid had a dream that he was ready to achieve. My duty as a father was to prepare him for the task at hand by exposing him to basic electronics functionalities. Since he was still underage I had to get him some basic tools like screwdrivers, soldering iron, and lead. He acquired so much knowledge about the works of the built-in battery, IC, and wiring of various mobile phones and electronics. What surprised me most was the fact that the boy was able to fix almost any mobile phone in my entire home that was old or broken. He even had the dexterity to perform some of the expert repairs of the soldering of the copper wires.
Seeing all that he was doing, I felt it was necessary to enroll him in a local mobile phone and computer repair store where he can be well equipped and further be trained in the basics of repairing mobile phones and computers. The boy started going for training after school each day and in the next 6 months, he learned almost all the skills needed to fix an electronic gadget. I was amazed at how quickly he learned and accomplished the feat. He now understands the essential hardware of the gadgets as he's able to create a power bank from a dead phone's battery and have it charge his phone when there is no electricity.
This kid was the one who helped to set up my laptop windows OS when I just bought it. He also helped me to tune the laptop properly before connecting it to my wireless router. He taught me the basic functionalities of the computer and has been the one assisting me whenever I had a problem while operating the computer. I cannot but wonder if he can one day be a business person like I am. If he can operate a mobile phone and laptop shop, it will be like sharing my dream.
At my younger age, I wished to be an engineer to work with a computer but did not know the seed of that dream was going to be born in my small kid. I wish him the best, and hopefully, he is on his way for his long-term objective. As long as that passion will give him a livelihood, life will never be hard for him.
Now, he is already making little money for himself by repairing mobile gadgets for neighbors and close family friends. With time, he can become a small business person himself.
My duty as a father now is to ensure he gets all the resources that he will need to be the best in whatever he does. I've noticed that the love for fixing mobile phones and laptops is very contagious and everybody seems to like the idea. May God look upon this young boy for me and guide him to success through life. I promised to watch over him.
I've noticed something since he started repairing phones and laptops. His little brothers admire him and love to help him in their spare time. The idea to get their brother some training has boosted their interest in it. He even teaches them the basics of repairing mobile phones and laptops. He has created a positive relationship with his siblings and also taught them how best to use their time.
Parents should learn to motivate their children to become their dreams and objectives. Indeed, they will grow to be better as individuals when parents encourage them. Let’s all inspire and motivate our kids to have guts to make something out of nothing.
Remember that dreams don't happen, people make them happen. You can start today and reach for your goals no matter how little they are.
Let's support our children to learn their purpose in life and guide them to fulfill their ambitions. This will bring happiness to them and the entire family.